The drive from Lebanon, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 164.1 miles and takes about 3h 30m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 90, State Highway 16, Highway 16 & 60 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 102.5 miles on I 90.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $25.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
82 miles from Lebanon, WI
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 30m. Total distance: 164.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
This is a 3h 30m highway drive covering 164.1 miles, with most of the trip on I 90 and State Highway 16. The longest continuous stretch is about 102.5 miles on I 90.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 90 is the longest continuous segment at about 102.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 90 and State Highway 16. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.1 miles in near CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM.
Driving Effort3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 30m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (CTH MM / County Road MM): Navigation decision point; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM
At end of road, turn right onto CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM
Navigation decision point
4
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|CTH MM / County Road MM
Turn left onto CTH MM / County Road MM
Navigation decision point
5
12.7 mi into trip|~26m in
Take the exit toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
7
120.2 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 90
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90 toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 45
Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
6
162.3 mi into trip|~3h 26m in|I 90; US 53
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53 toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 3
Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lebanon, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
La Crosse
120.2 mi in|~2h 41m|via I 90
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 90
102.5 mi
1h 50m
State Highway 16
22.7 mi
31m
Highway 16 & 60
13.8 mi
18m
State Highway 26
3.7 mi
4m
West Cook Street
3.7 mi
5m
County Road MM
3 mi
7m
US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
2.7 mi
4m
County Road M
2.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 90
— 102.5 mi, about 1h 50m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lebanon, WI and North La Crosse, WI.
1
Start on CTH MM
0.1 mi·16 sec·South Street
2
Continue on CTH MM
1.0 mi·2 min·County Road MM
3
At end of road, turn right onto CTH EM; CTH MM
0.3 mi·55 sec·County Road EM
4
Turn left onto CTH MM
2.0 mi·4 min·County Road MM
5
At end of road, turn left onto CTH E
2.0 mi·4 min·County Road E
6
Turn right onto CTH M
2.2 mi·5 min·County Road M
7
Turn left onto CTH JM
1.3 mi·3 min·County Road JM
8
Turn right onto WI 16; WI 26
3.7 mi·4 min·State Highway 26
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·49 sec
Toward WI 16 West, WI 60: ColumbusHustisford
10
Turn left onto WI 16; WI 60
0.1 mi·15 sec·State Highway 60
11
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
14 mi·18 min·Highway 16 & 60
12
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
0.3 mi·42 sec·Lowell Street
13
Continue on WI 16; WI 60
1.7 mi·4 min·East James Street
14
Continue on WI 16
23 mi·31 min·State Highway 16
15
Turn straight onto US 51; WI 16
2.7 mi·4 min·US Highway 51 & State Highway 16
16
Continue on US 51; WI 16
1.6 mi·3 min·East Wisconsin Street
17
Turn left onto WI 33
3.7 mi·5 min·West Cook Street
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
19
Merge onto I 90; I 94
60 mi·1 hr 4 min·I 90; I 94
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 90
42 mi·45 min·I 90
Exit 45Toward I 90 West: Tomah, La Crosse
21
Take the exit onto I 90; US 53
0.2 mi·37 sec·I 90; US 53
Exit 3Toward US 53 South, WI 35: La Crosse, Onalaska
22
Turn left onto US 53; WI 35
1.6 mi·3 min·Rose Street
23
Arrive at destination
US 53; CTH B
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 82 miles from Lebanon, WI, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.5 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 36 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 82 miles or 2h in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 56m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near North La Crosse, WI than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lebanon, WI so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lebanon, WI
This is one driving day of about 164.1 miles and 3h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 36 miles from Lebanon, WI.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 90 for about 102.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 82 miles from Lebanon, WI, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.5 miles.
Arriving in North La Crosse, WI
The final approach into North La Crosse, WI usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around North La Crosse, WI.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes. The Trail is built, manage...
25 mi from route
~63 min detour
Free
near mile 84.9
Caution: Averill–Kelly Creek Wilderness Segment — Dangerous Ford at New Wood River
Caution: Skunk and Foster Lakes Segment — Storm Damage
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.66 one way
$51.31 round trip
$3.97/gal25.4 MPG avg57 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.36
$28.17
$56.34
premium
$4.89
$31.58
$63.16
diesel
$5.61
$36.23
$72.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 57.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
49.2
0
$17.23
$7.88
Efficient EV
41
0
$14.36
$6.56
EV Truck/SUV
65.6
0
$22.97
$10.50
Gas CO2
57 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Lebanon, WI
Late night
in Lebanon on Saturday
Local time
1:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
North La Crosse, WI
Late night
in North La Crosse on Saturday
Local time
1:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Clear
SE 2 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Dense Fog Advisory
Dense Fog Advisory issued April 16 at 6:23PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Milwaukee/Sullivan WI
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued April 16 at 4:45PM CDT until April 19 at 1:27AM CDT by NWS La Crosse WI
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 30m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Lebanon, WI to North La Crosse, WI covers 164.1 miles and takes about 3h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 90, State Highway 16, Highway 16 & 60. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 82 miles from Lebanon, WI. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 30m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.1 miles (CTH EM; CTH MM / County Road EM): Navigation decision point; at 1.5 miles (CTH MM / County Road MM): Navigation decision point; at 12.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Lebanon, WI to North La Crosse, WI, road signs begin pointing toward La Crosse along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
